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January 9, 2018 (FULL DETAILED REPORT)

Wednesday, January 31st, 2018

STATE OF WYOMING ) LANDER, WYOMING
) ss. OFFICE OF THE FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF FREMONT ) JANUARY 9, 2018

FULL DETAILED REPORT

The Board of Fremont County Commissioners met in Regular Session at 9:00 a.m. with the following members present: Chairman Travis Becker, Ray Price, Jennifer McCarty and Clarence Thomas. Vice-Chairman Larry Allen arrived later in the meeting. Fremont County Clerk Julie A. Freese was present for the meeting.

The following items in the Priority Mail were reviewed: 1) State of Wyoming Memorandum setting Mileage Rates for 2018 (for information only); 2) January 17, 2018 Fremont County Data Summit to provide the most recent data on substance abuse and its related consequences; and 3) March 7, 2018 Gatekeeping and Directed Outpatient Commitment Training Conference. A State of Wyoming, Department of Audit notice was acknowledged indicating that Lucky 13 Water District has not filed their annual report as required by State Statute, and further notifying the Commissioners to proceed per State Statute to dissolve the special district. Deputy Civil Attorney Jodi Darrough will outline the process to take for dissolution and draft a Resolution to begin the process for action at the Commissioner’s next meeting.

There was nobody present for the public comment period.

Vice-Chairman Larry Allen arrived during the following session.

Fremont County Library Director Janette McMahon requested authorization to advertise and rehire for a Teen Lead Librarian at the Riverton Branch. The position is included in their current budget and will not change the staffing line item. Ray Price moved, Clarence Thomas seconded, to authorize rehiring for the Teen Lead Librarian vacancy. Motion carried unanimously. In another matter, McMahon updated the Board on continuing issues experienced at the Riverton Branch with the fire alarm system. They continue to experience issues and last November, the Branch had to be closed due to the system going down. When the system is not functional, according to the building inspector, the only exception to the code in lieu of closing down is to set up a dedicated person for constant fire watch, which is not an option due to staffing constraints. McMahon stated the system is over 30 years old and has been patched through the years, and some parts are not even available any longer. She stated their Facilities Manager had sought a proposal from a company used in the past, Comtronix, who submitted the amount of $10,850 to provide fire alarm system with major equipment parts. She stated the proposal only covers repairs on the actual control panel, as they are not aware of any other issues with the system at this time. Several Commissioners felt the repairs should be put out for bid; however, Library Board liaison Commissioner Ray Price stated this qualified for emergency status and the repairs need done so the Library would not be forced to close. McMahon stated that with budget cuts experienced by the Library system over the last several years, there is not funding available within their current budget for the large item repair. County Clerk Julie Freese gave an update on approximately $20,000 remaining in the Emergency Repair Line item of the Capital Revolving Fund, for which the amount qualifies, as this funding was established for emergency repairs such as this. Clarence Thomas moved, Ray Price seconded, to authorize funding the $10,850 repairs for the control panel at the Riverton Branch Library with funding through the Emergency Repair line item in the Capital Revolving Fund. Motion carried unanimously. Several Commissioners recommended that future large item repairs be bid out if possible.

Commissioner Thomas was excused for a portion of the meeting.

Sheriff Skip Hornecker presented a monthly update. He introduced Sgt. Jeff Hutson as the new Detention Administrative Sergeant. Sgt. Hutson is responsible for providing the daily inmate population information to the Courts in an effort to assist with decreasing the number of pre-adjudicated inmates in the system. Since this process has only been taking place for several months, Sheriff Hornecker is unsure how much impact it is having in this area to date; however, he stated it has helped to ensure inmates do not fall through the cracks. Sheriff Hornecker then proceeded to review Detention statistics by stating there is a total roster of 146 (100 adult males, 44 adult females and two juveniles). There are 139 inmates in-house, two juveniles out of county, and 7 in treatment. Of the total 146 inmates, 46 (43 in house) are sentenced. There was a spike of 249 intakes recorded in December. One hundred inmates in Detention are pre-adjudicated. There are two certified positions and one Nurse position open in Detention. Communications: There is one vacant position and the two newest employees are working through in-house training at consoles. Patrol/Enforcement: The position within the Dubois area is still open; however, a conditional offer has been made and that applicant is in the background stage. Sheriff Hornecker updated the Commission on upgrade costs necessary for video court arraignments. The State of Wyoming changed their system and now does not support the equipment in the Detention Center. Upgrade costs total $2,770 for a laptop and camera and he is looking at budgets to see if he can find funding somewhere, but is skeptical he can. He felt the new system (Skype) offers poor quality for the court arraignments and many of the judges have expressed their concern as well. He gave an update on the WYOLINK maintenance fee issue. He stated the Joint Appropriations Committee meets this week and will be discussing a possible restructure and he continues to be active in the process as he serves as vice-chairman on the Public Safety and Security Committee. He stated some counties are talking about dropping out entirely of WYOLINK, which he feels will be a detriment to the overall system as we know it (causing inoperability issues again among agencies and would be taking a step backwards). Discussion on calling it a maintenance fee as opposed to a user fee may be helpful. Sheriff Hornecker gave an update on the Windy Ridge tower. An overall cleanup of the entire system seems to be working great as far as the analog system is concerned and that the WYOLINK system is also better.

Commissioner Thomas returned to the meeting at this time.

County Coroner Mark Stratmoen presented a 2017 Case Summary & Comparison report. There were 339 recorded deaths, 51% were Coroner Cases (175); 28 more than 2016 (146). 34.5% (60) were “non-natural” in manner: Accidental is 34 (two times higher than the national average, four more than 2016 (30). Suicide is 13, four less than 2016 (17) (2.5 times the national average). Homicide is 9, the same as that of 2016 (4 times the national average). Six of those were two incidents involving motor-vehicles. Motor-vehicle/Traffic deaths: 17, including 11 accidental deaths and six vehicular homicides. 64% of the total involved alcohol and/or drugs. In a six-year analysis of vehicular deaths in Fremont County, the most common factors are a white male, age 19 to 35, not wearing a seatbelt, single vehicle incident, under the influence of alcohol and/or cannabis products. The leading cause of accidental deaths is motor vehicle accidents and drug and/or alcohol toxicity (tied at 11). Third is falls (6), fourth is drowning or other asphyxia (4), then fire and hypothermia with one each. While down, Suicide numbers have been trending up since 2012 broke the record for a single year with 19. Vehicular homicides have stayed level at six in 2017 and 2016, compared to 2015 (5), 2014 (4) and 2013 (1). There were four child fatalities (age 17 and under) which is a significant decrease of eight in 2016. All four were non-natural deaths (two accidents, one motor vehicle homicide and one suicide). Total drug and alcohol related deaths account for 62 of all 174 cases (35%), an increase over 2016 (31%). Of the non-natural deaths, 45 of 60 were drug/alcohol related, or 75%, also an increase from 2016 (60%). The #1 contributing factor in accidental deaths in Fremont County is drugs and/or alcohol at 85% (29 of 34 deaths), a marked increase from 2016 (62%). Of all 62 of the total drug and alcohol related deaths, the primary substance of abuse in Fremont County remains alcohol (76%). THC/Cannabis substances have moved into the #2 spot at 18 related deaths (29%), #3 is Methamphetamine at 10 (16%), the highest since 2005 when there were 15 Meth related deaths. #4 are Opiate related drugs at 6 (10%). Three graphs depicting the statistics were also provided.

Coroner Stratmoen gave a monthly report. He reviewed a summary of 2017 administrative items, tasks, changes and projects: Shoshone Business Council MOU regarding investigation and disposition of skeletal remains found on the Wind River Indian Reservation (pending agreement with Arapaho Business Council); Pending Agreement with Wyoming Life Resource Center for a cemetery; Eclipse planning, updated Coroner Policy & Procedures Manual; and major upgrade to computer network system. A mid-fiscal year Department subsidiary status was given. Barring any unforeseen major events, if current trends continue, they are projected to end this fiscal year at around 10% under budget. Budget projections for the FY 2018-19 budget were discussed as they start to plan needs and several considerations noted: adding to the Chief Deputy base salary, vehicle replacement, the need for additional storage capacity for a four to five body unit for the Riverton area, and upcoming budged request to remain at the same request or possibly slightly lower.

Chairman Becker recessed the Board of Fremont County Commissioners and convened as the Fremont County District Boundary Board. In addition to the County Commissioners, the other two Boundary Board members were present, Treasurer Scott Harnsberger and Assessor Tara Berg. Secretary Berg reviewed W.S. § 21-6-203 through 206, stating in part “the county assessor, board of county commissioners and county treasurer shall constitute a board for establishing school districts in the county. The district boundary board shall elect a chairman and he shall call a meeting to the district boundary board in the first quarter of each calendar year for the purpose of electing one of the members as chairman and secretary.” Berg stated there are no boundary board issues at this time, with the last one being the consolidation of School District No. 21. The members did not feel that the proposed consolidation of Fremont County School Districts was an issue. Discussion was held to keep the chairman and secretary the same for the upcoming year. Larry Allen moved, Jennifer McCarty seconded, to re-appoint Travis Becker as Chairman and Tara Berg as Secretary of the Fremont County Boundary Board for 2018. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Becker adjourned the Fremont County District Boundary Board and reconvened as the Board of Fremont County Commissioners.

Chief Civil Deputy Jodi Darrough, representing County and Prosecuting Attorney Patrick LeBrun, updated the Board of the need to purchase a new scanner for the Riverton Office. LeBrun proposed using money in the County Attorney’s contractual line item to cover the cost of approximately $3,000 which would not cause the total bottom line to go over budget. The Board expressed appreciation for the communication of the expense and proposed solution to cover the cost within the current budget.

Executive Health Insurance Committee members Julie Freese, Margy Irvine, Kristi Green and Jim Anderson were present and stated the MASA Medical Transport Solutions information had been presented at the Elected Officials and Department Heads during their monthly meeting the previous day. Present in the audience were Skip Hornecker, Mark Stratmoen, Scott Harnsberger, Tara Berg, Angela Wilson, Mike Klaassen and Joe Felix. The MASA plan coverage was reviewed which covers out of pocket expenses for any emergent air or ground transport, regardless of the company who provides the transport. Questions were asked of those in the audience; however, the sales representative was not available due to a family emergency. The Commissioners had earlier agreed to cover all employees at the Emergent Rate; however, the Chief Civil Deputy recommended several additions to the standard Employer Benefit Agreement before she would recommend approval. As a result, the Commissioners did not sign the Agreement and asked Darrough to meet with the sales representative and negotiate the changes suggested for a final contract review during their January 23rd meeting. The meetings with the representative set for Monday, Martin Luther King Day, (Courthouse closure for training and cleaning) will be postponed as well until after an Agreement is signed. Chairman Becker stated his preference that the Health Insurance Plan cover the costs of employee enrollment for the Emergent Plan through this fiscal year and that employees pay the difference if they opted for the Platinum Plan. Then next fiscal year, as Anderson had noted in an earlier meeting, the increased cost per employee for the MASA coverage could be added to the set cost paid by the County per employee for their health insurance match.

County Clerk Julie Freese had reviewed the discussion also held the previous day during the Elected Official/Department Heads meeting regarding the updated Employee Driving Record Policy. The Commissioners had asked that this group again review the draft Policy and offer input prior to the Commission finalizing it. The County’s personal property carrier, Wyoming Association of Risk Management, has identified what they consider Minor Violations vs. Major Violations, and their policy requirements which states unacceptable driving criteria is looked at for the last 36 months, as opposed to the state requirement of 12 months. The WARM policy is referenced in the County policy as a reference only. The draft Policy allows the County Clerk to obtain a Release for driving Record & Personal Information form and obtain a copy of their driver’s license from all employees in order to run an initial motor vehicle record for that employee. Then this will be a requirement for all new employees. Several Elected Officials stated their employees do not operate a County vehicle at any time, and Chairman Becker suggested they will be allowed to opt out of the procedure; however, to update the Mileage Reimbursement Policy to state that all unauthorized drivers who travel for county business in their own vehicle shall be reimbursed at the rate of $.30/mile (the standard rate for using a personal vehicle in lieu of a county vehicle (if not available) is $.40). Freese will provide a final Policy for consideration at the upcoming January 23rd meeting.

In another matter, County Clerk Julie Freese informed the Board that a proposed General Orientation Checklist was also discussed the previous day with Elected Officials and Department Heads. She would like the Elected Officials to meet on January 15th to go through the document and determine who should present certain topics and other items of importance. The plan is to offer the anticipated three hour program to all current employees as they are sometimes not aware of all of the topics slated to be presented (HR/Payroll, Information Technology & Phones, Facilities, County Vehicle usage, and other miscellaneous topics). Monthly classes will then be scheduled for all new employees entering County employment. Chairman Becker stated the entire Commission is supportive of the training and encouraged all Elected Officials to participate in the review on January 15th and support sending all their employees to the trainings as scheduled in the near future.

There being no further business, Larry Allen moved, Jennifer McCarty seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 11:30 a.m. and reconvene for a Regular Meeting on January 23, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Motion carried unanimously.

A full detailed report and the official minutes are posted on Fremont County’s website at www.fremontcountywy.org.